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IN PERFORMANCE; CLASSICAL MUSIC

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October 22, 1994, Page 001019 The New York Times Archives

A Spanish Soprano In Puccini's 'Boheme' Metropolitan Opera House

Against the mountainous odds of the overblown Franco Zeffirelli production, Ainhoa Arteta, a young Spanish soprano, made a promising Metropolitan Opera debut on Thursday evening in Puccini's "Boheme." She took over the role of Mimi with smooth legato and a distinctive mix of buoyant lightness and rich, dark timbre.

She tried more in the way of dynamic subtlety and variety than the production, with its often recessed staging, would allow, particularly in combination with the stentorian Rodolfo of Richard Leech. But a few pianissimos registered ravishingly. Ms. Arteta also projected an apt vocal and physical vulnerability at the start, though it was eventually subsumed in the overall histrionics. Could anyone have been surprised to find Mimi dead, long moments after she flopped her arm halfway across the room?

Kim Josephson, taking over the role of Marcello, also proved a worthy asset, though his smooth, attractive baritone gradually grew rougher and blunter, as all things must in such surroundings.

Another latecomer to the cast, Lauren Flanigan as Musetta, began her waltz with an appealing ring, but her attempts to pull back the volume sounded strained and ultimately produced an ugly squawk. She soldiered on bravely and effectively in the later acts. JAMES R. OESTREICH

A version of this review appears in print on October 22, 1994, on Page 1001019 of the National edition with the headline: IN PERFORMANCE; CLASSICAL MUSIC. Order Reprints|Today's Paper|Subscribe